Dr. Vanessa Olvera remembers the first time she walked into Venice Family Clinic as a volunteer clinic assistant to support the nursing staff as they welcomed patients to the Clinic and prepared them for care. She had dreamed of being a doctor since she was five years old, but like many college students, she questioned her path. Then she found Venice Family Clinic and everything fell into place. “I didn’t know much about medicine,” she recalls, “but I knew I wanted to help people.”

For five years, Dr. Olvera worked alongside the Clinic’s patients, many of whom faced language barriers or were overwhelmed by the complexities of health care. “I remember one patient whose anxiety about her health made it difficult for her to seek care,” she says, “and discussing her diagnosis in her native language seemed to have made all the difference. She left feeling calm and cared for.” Seeing the impact her support had on patients solidified Dr. Olvera’s decision to pursue a career in medicine, a choice that would empower her to offer the same compassionate care that she saw the clinic staff deliver every day.

After earning her medical degree at USC and completing an internal medicine residency at NYU, Dr. Olvera returned to Los Angeles, ready to put her new skills to work. When she learned about an opportunity to partner with UCLA to teach and supervise residents at Venice Family Clinic’s Simms/Mann Health and Wellness Center, she knew it was the perfect fit. The program serves as a vital training ground for future physicians, combining hands-on learning with patient care in underserved communities. For Dr. Olvera, it was a chance to share her passion with a new generation of doctors.

“On my first day, I parked in the same spot I had as a volunteer, walked through the same doors and saw the familiar faces of people who helped me find my path,” she says. “It felt like coming home.” Now, Dr. Olvera guides students as they develop the skills to provide compassionate, patient-centered care. Her dedication to providing culturally sensitive care remains critical, breaking down language barriers and ensuring patients feel seen and understood.

Reflecting on her career, Dr. Olvera is proud to be a part of the Venice Family Clinic’s growing legacy. “Venice Family Clinic has grown so much, but it hasn’t lost its heart,” she says. “Every person here is committed to creating real change for the community. Contributing to that is a dream come true.”